Google MapsPolice say a driver's son released two pit bulls when the father got into an altercation with officers after a stop on Green Street in Boonton.

BOONTON — The proper response to a motor vehicle stop is generally to roll down the window, get out your license and registration, and politely follow the officer's instructions.

It's not "release the hounds."

But Boonton police say that's what a 20-year-old resident did in an apparent attempt to help his father earlier this month, after a traffic stop escalated into a confrontation with officers.

On Aug. 2, police pulled over Jeffery B. Eckert, 51, of Boonton, Lt. Thomas Turrisi said. Eckert pulled into his own driveway on Green Street, and immediately began arguing with the officer who approached him, Turrisi said.

"Right away he started with profanity with the officer. 'What are you pulling me over for,' that sort of thing," Turrisi said.

When the officer returned to his vehicle, Eckert's son, Kevin, came out of the house with a pit bull, Turrisi said. The officer told Kevin Eckert to put the dog back in the house, he was.

But then, Jeffery Eckert opened the door into the officer, striking him, Turrisi said. The officer told Jeffrey Eckert he was under arrest, but the elder Eckert tried to climb back into his car, Turrisi said.

It was then that Kevin Eckert came out of the house again, with a second pit bull, Turrisi said. He let the dogs off their leashes, toward the officers, Turrisi said.